Maaike Happel

PhD candidate at Wageningen University with a background in Anthropology and Agricultural Sciences. Focused on farmers' decision-making processes regarding sustainable soil management practices and circular agriculture in the Netherlands via the NWO SINCERE Project in collaboration with Leiden University. Uses mixed methods including Q-methodology, choice experiments, and scoping literature reviews.

Founded and coordinates Science and Cocktails Amsterdam, a lecture series and science outreach platform. Expertise in circular agriculture, organics valorisation, nutrient cycles, farmer behaviour, systems thinking, and socio-ecological mapping. Experienced in consulting and research on circular economy, green energy, zero waste, urban-rural reconnections, and sustainable development.

External lecturer Business Administration - Amsterdam Business School, University of Amsterdam - Amsterdam, the Netherlands

(2025-08)

External supervisor for BSc Internship course and thesis supervision for final-year Bachelor students. Guide primarily Business Administration students in conducting research and consultancy assignments within internship companies, framing research questions, applying appropriate methods, and translating findings into actionable recommendations. Supervise thesis projects on sustainability-related business challenges with focus on circular economy, inter-organisational collaboration, and agri-food systems.

• BSc. Internship course E&B (12 students, all passed) – Sep 2025 – Jan 2026
• BSc. Thesis Management in the Digital Age (6 students, graduating in June) – Feb – June 2026

Research Officer READJUST project - University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam Business School - Amsterdam, the Netherlands

(2024-08 - 2025-08)

Conducted research on indicators of inequalities resulting from digital and green transition policies as part of an international and interdisciplinary team within the EU project Re-Adjust. Collaborated with international partners including academics, NGOs, and policymakers. Conducted interviews and policy analyses to translate research into actionable policy insights. Developed familiarity with developments in digitalization policies and practical applications within agricultural technology.

Program coordinator: Scientific Overview & Host - Science and Cocktails Amsterdam & Copenhagen - Amsterdam, the Netherlands

(2018-03)

Established and managed Science & Cocktails in Amsterdam since March 2018. Since 2024, contribute to booking international speakers for large-scale events (1000+ attendees) in Copenhagen, Denmark. Organize science talks in Paradiso and Paradiso Noord in close collaboration with venues.

Science & Cocktails is an initiative bringing science and entertainment together through public lectures intertwined with music/art performances. Creates a relaxed platform where researchers and audience interact on equal footing while discussing scientific knowledge.

• Event management and project management
• Grant writing
• Social media communication
• Collaboration with different partners

PhD Candidate - Wageningen University - Wageningen, the Netherlands

(2018-01)

PhD research in Land Use Planning department as part of the SINCERE Project in interdisciplinary team of social and soil scientists. Investigated socio-economic factors and foundation of knowledge networks regarding transition to sustainable soil management based on organic residues. Focused on social learning processes and adaptive knowledge networks among farmers and other key stakeholders in the transition to sustainable soil management in the case of the Achterhoek in the Netherlands.

Used mixed methods including Q-methodology and choice experiments.

• Projected defense: autumn 2026

Research assistant for SusValueWaste - Danish University of Technical Sciences (DTU) - Denmark

(2016-01 - 2018-12)

Investigated circular economy value-chains and various valorization pathways of organic waste and byproducts of industry. Conducted qualitative research through case-studies in various industries including Brewing Industry, Forestry, Aquaculture, Dairy Processing and Municipal Solid Waste streams in Urban Areas. Contributed to publications on bio-residuals valorization and brewers' spent grain strategies in Nordic brewing industry. Results presented at ESCRP Conference in Greece in October 2017.

• Interdisciplinary team research on organic waste valorization
• Publication contributions on circular bioeconomy

Research Internship combined with Master Thesis - Organic Flows project - SLU (Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences) / Green White Space / The Green Exchange - Malmö, Sweden

(2015-01 - 2016-12)

Collaboration with international sustainability and zero waste media start-up. Project 'Organic Flows' explored market potential for anaerobic digestates and residues from biogas production in southern Sweden through qualitative and behavioral study. Conducted research across 10 case-studies in Scania, Sweden to define attitudes and decision-making behavior of primarily conventional farmers on using anaerobic digestates as fertilizer. Enhanced MSc. Thesis research.

PhD - Spatial Planning - Wageningen University & Research (2018-01)

MSc - Agroecology - Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) (2013-01 - 2016-12)

BA - Cultural Anthropology and Development Studies - University of Amsterdam (2007-01 - 2012-12)

Electives - Food, Globalization & Sustainability, Rural Sociology and Food Cultures - Wageningen University

HBO Rechten (Propedeuse) - Hogeschool van Amsterdam (2004-01 - 2005-12)

HAVO - C&M (Secondary School) - Fons Vitae Lyceum (1999-01 - 2004-12)